Retirement Checklist

1. Introduction

2. Arrival of Official Party

3. National Anthem

4. Invocation

5. Remarks by Capt Brian Smith

6. Medal Presentation

7. Reading of Retirement Orders

8. Presentation of Retirement Lapel Pin

9. Certificates of Appreciation

10. U.S. Flag Presentation

11. Special Gift Presentation

12. Shadow Box Presentation

13. Remarks by MSgt Thorson (Retired)

14. Air Force Song

15. Departure of Official Party

16. Closing Remarks / Reception

Career Overview

Master Sergeant Erin L. Thorson is an HH-60G Pavehawk Special Mission Aviator (formerly Aerial Gunner) currently serving as Superintendent, 23d Wing Scheduling and Current Operations section, Air Combat Command, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

MSgt Thorson was born on 8 October 1967 in Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Williamsville High School in May 1985. He entered active duty with the Air Force on 1 May 1992 following graduation from Spartan School of Aeronautics located in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. MSgt Thorson’s career background includes Aircraft Armament Systems career field as an F-15 Weapons Loader, selection for special duty assignment as initial cadre HH-60G Pavehawk Aerial Gunner, formal school-house aircrew training instructor, Det 1 33 RQS Operations Superintendent, 33 RQS Resource Advisor, Additional Duty First Sergeant, NCOIC 347 RQG Standardizations/Evaluations, and Superintendent 23d Wing Scheduling and Current Operations.

As Superintendent, MSgt Thorson is directly responsible for maintaining wing long-range deployment events, combining, managing, and coordinating wing planning schedule taskings from Air Combat Command and other outside agencies. Additionally, he is responsible for ensuring integration of four geographically separated units consisting of HC-130 P/J , HH-60G Pavehawk, A-10, and Pararescue assets for deployments, aerial events and wing exercise requirements. MSgt Thorson has deployed in support of Operations DECISIVE ENDEAVOR – Bosnia-Herzegovina, SOUTHERN WATCH – Kuwait, NORTHERN WATCH – Turkey, ENDURING FREEDOM – Afghanistan, and Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR – Libya. MSgt Thorson has attended four levels of PME and holds three Associate Degrees in Applied Science Aircraft Armament Systems Technology, Aviation Operations, and Instructor of Technology as well as a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University. He has been awarded the Chief Enlisted Aircrew Wings and has flown over 2,100 helicopter hours. MSgt Thorson is married to the former Van Thi Duong of Newport News, Virginia. They have two boys, Brandon and Justin, as well as one daughter, Tiffany.

Bases of Assignment

1. May - Jun 1992, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX2. Jun - Sep 1992, Student, Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist, Lowry AFB, CO3. Sep 1992 - Sep 1995, F-15 Weapons Load Crewmember (462), 71st Fighter

Squadron, Langley AFB, VA 4. Sep 1995 – Oct 1998, HH-60G/MH-53 Pavelow/HC-130 Armament Systems,

58th Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM5. Oct 1998 – Mar 2002, HH-60G Pavehawk Aerial Gunner/Scheduling NCOIC,

41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA6. Mar 2002 – Mar 2005, HH-60G Pavehawk Instructor Aerial Gunner/NCOIC

Resource Advisor, 512th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM7. Mar 2005 – Mar 2006, Operations Superintendent/HH-60G Instructor Aerial

Gunner, Detachment 1, 33d Rescue Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea8. Mar 2006 – Jul 2009, Flight Chief/Resource Advisor/HH-60G Evaluator Aerial

Gunner, 33d Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan9. Jul 2009 – Oct 2014, Superintendent 23d Wing Scheduling & Current Operations,

NCOIC HH-60G Standardization & Evaluations 347th Rescue Group, NCOIC Commander’s Support Staff 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA

Awards and Decorations

Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Device Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Devices Aerial Achievement Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Device Air Force Commendation Medal w/4 Devices Air Force Achievement Medal Army Achievement Medal Meritorious Unit Award w/2 Devices Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Valor & 7 Devices Combat Readiness Medal w/3 Devices Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/6 Devices National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/1 Bronze Star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Air & Space Campaign Medal Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour) Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Long Tour) Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/Gold Border Air Force Longevity Service w/4 Devices USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon w/1 Device Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle) Air Force Training Ribbon NATO Medal w/1 Bronze Star

Retirement Ceremony In Honor Of

Master Sergeant Erin L. Thorson

20 June 2014 @ 1341L 41st Rescue Squadron

Auditorium / Bldg 663 Moody Air Force Base, Georgia